Ryan Gravenberch admits he “really needed” time to adapt to English football and adjust to the demands at Liverpool during his debut season in 2023/24.
The 22-year-old has been a standout for the Reds this season under manager Arne Slot, seamlessly settling into the No. 6 role after a challenging first year at Anfield.
Gravenberch made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, but with only 21 starts, he struggled to maintain consistency and was often in and out of the side.
In an interview with Liverpool’s Walk On eMagazine, the Dutch international acknowledged that he’s a player who benefits from a “period to adapt,” which he found necessary after making the transition from Bayern Munich to the Premier League.
“The Premier League is quicker than German football,” Ryan Gravenberch said.
“It is more intense, both when you are in possession and when you are pressing.
“Counter-attacks are at speed and I think you get more time on the ball when you are in possession in the Bundesliga.
“You have to adapt here, but how quickly you adapt depends.
“Every player is different and, to be honest, I like a period to adapt.
“I wasn’t used to the Prem, of course, and I didn’t play a lot of football before I came here, but I had the time to adapt and I really needed it.
“It can take time to build relationships on the pitch and what I said, every player is different. I think if you train a lot with your teammates you adapt to them quicker, and adapt to the league quicker.”
On his new midfield role under Arne Slot, Gravenberch added: “My role is the same as it was before the new coach came in.
“I think he sees me as a number six or a number eight and I think with Klopp it was the same, so it is not different.
“It doesn’t really matter a lot where I play. I have played for my whole life as a number eight, but when I play as a number six it is awesome.”
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